This evening I had the great privilege of being invited to an event celebrating the Nobel Peace Prize winner, Muhammad Yunus and Grameen Bank, which immediately preceded the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. It was a great thrill to hear his speech on how Micro-credit has proved to be an important liberating force in societies where women in particular have to struggle against repressive social and economic conditions. Economic growth and political democracy can not achieve their full potential unless the female half of humanity participates on an equal footing with the male.
Following the winners speech, we heard a presentation from some of the clients of Grameen Bank who told their personal and moving stories of how small loan to by e.g. sawing machine, material, or even a cow, enable them to start small businesses which eventually allowed them to work their way out of extreme poverty and even employ others within their villages. My wife remarked that this must be true feminism. I do agree as it is a big difference between women fighting for their place in management and woman who are fighting for their family and villages survival. It really shows that little people with a good idea can achieve great things.
At the end of the event, we heard music from the African drum player George Kitogo Sferunjogi from Uganda. He uses the earnings from his performances to give Micro-credits to the people of his homeland.
Of course Norwegians are proud to have the honour of presenting The Nobel Peace prize every year. Due to this we’ve had winners visiting Oslo like Mother Theresa (India), Lech Wałęsa (Poland), Elie Wiesel (USA), Dalai Lama (Tibet), Wangari Maathai (Kenya) among others.
Referral links:
The Nobel Peace Prize, Grameen Foundation, The Norwegian Nobel Institute and Nobel Peace centre in Oslo.
PS: For my regular readers: I will serve you Rakfisk tomorrow:-)
Being at the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony mush have been a great experience. I’m so happy for you that you got to be there. I have to admit I don’t know too much about Muhammad Yunus’ work, but I’m sure he deserved the award for his work fighting poverty for peace. I really appreciate the people putting such significant energy and dedication into making this earth a better place, but I just want to share with you a line from the movie “Blood Diamonds” (from the diamond industry in Africa) that I also think is very wise… “All that is necessary for evil to succeed is for good men to do nothing.” – Edmund Burke
I noticed another powerfull thought that I want to share when watching Al Gore’s “An unconvinient truth” the other day (I feel it’s my duty to go to the movies once in a while when living in Hollywood…) “What gets us into trouble is not what we don’t know… It’s what we know for sure that just ain’t so.”
Both movies mentioned are highly recomended!
Next year maybe Bono deserves a trip to Oslo…?
I don’t really know what the Micro-credits are. Could you explain? That is cool you got to go and with your wife! That gal sure gets to go neat places!
Whoa! Thanks for sharing Renny I think it is so cool.
I’ll be waiting for the fish ;D
How exciting!
I’m not a big fan of fish and I’ve never hear of the one you mentioned.
wow! that’s one of my dreams to witness a nobel peace awards. nd to win one but that would be impossible. hehehe ;p
This was very interesting for sure. and you are living in the right place for that !
I just came from your friend’s blog where I saw your picture. You see, it would be nice if Shopping Malls would open a Kindergarteno for man, with TV, cards and a nice bar and comfy furniture ! (like an English Club perhaps ?) Don’t you want to open one and invest ? Lol !
Thanks for the update Renny, sounds interesting to attend this kind of celebration.
Oh by the way, it reminds me of Al…both of you have a good quality of camera phone.
oh, thank you so much for sharing this with us! what an awe-inspiring opportunity to hear the winner’s address. mohammed yunus particularly inspires me because of some of the poeple we worked with in trinidad who lived in extreme poverty. he truly does an amazing work that radically changes individual lives permanently.
That is just really neat! It must be so wonderful to have folks like that in and out of town all the time :-)
I’m back from my blogging break!
Thanks for sharing with us Renny, how wish I can be there as well, u are so lucky.